by Claire Adams
I had to take a few breaths before I could speak, but then I managed to say: "All I felt was inappropriate work behavior."
Rainer backed off with an angry sigh. "Fine. We'll talk about this after work. Alone. Until you admit I'm not wrong. There's something between us, and I don't understand why you won't let yourself feel it."
I straightened out my work blouse but couldn't come up with a response. By the time I looked up from pressing my shirt primly, Rainer was gone. I took a minute to pour a cup of tepid coffee with a shaking hand. I figured now I could leave without looking as if I'd been part of a scene.
Then two co-workers hurried into the break room. I recognized the taller redhead from the time I caught her crying in a bathroom stall. The other co-worker, a dark-haired beauty with dramatic eyes, was definitely the woman I had seen Rainer seducing at the end of the office holiday party.
"Good morning," I said and tried to squeeze past them.
The redhead blocked my way with her hands up. "I'm so sorry to do this, Ms. Nichols, but I really admire you. You're an inspiration, one of the only female junior executives here, and, well, I want you to know that Rainer Maxwell is no good."
"He'll ruin your reputation," the other woman said with a dark look.
I couldn't say anything, so I just clutched my coffee and leaned back against the kitchenette counter.
"He's only in it for the fun of it." The redhead approached me cautiously. "At first, I thought an office fling would be fun, but then it was over. I mean, just like that. One and done."
"Me too," the dark-haired woman said. "He never goes back for seconds. And then you start noticing the other women he's tossed aside. The women who refuse to make eye contact with him. The women who go out of their way to avoid him."
"I received a phone call, stopped in here for privacy and a coffee," I explained.
"Good. I hope that's true," the dark-haired woman said. "We just wanted to warn you. You're too good for him."
"Don't think he'll keep pursuing you after you've given him what he wants," the redhead said.
"Thank you. Excellent advice." I stayed put after the women apologized again and left the break room.
They were just trying to be nice, but they'd done more than share a warning they wished they'd heard. They gave me an idea. If I slept with Rainer again, maybe he would go away. I sipped at my cold coffee and wondered if I could handle it. Seducing Rainer sounded like the only way I could get rid of him for good.
The thought festered with me all day until it was time to go home and get ready for my date with Seth. Luckily, I did not see Rainer as I left the office because my heart did funny flutters every time I considered my plan. Coming face-to-face with him before I'd thought it all the way through felt dangerous. After he chased me into the break room, I worried that he could read me better than anyone had ever managed.
After showering, tugging on a little black dress, and rushing out the door to meet Seth, Rainer was still on my mind. I told myself that had been his intent all along - make me think of him until I gave in - but something my co-workers said bothered me. Rainer never went back for seconds. His list of one-night stands was long and despicable, but I wasn't sure I fit on that list. Not only had we slept together and kept working side by side every day, but Rainer was determined to have more.
The valet startled me out of the memory of Rainer's quick, searing kiss. I stumbled out of my car and jumped when my phone rang. It was Rainer.
For one heart-stopping moment, I thought Rainer had managed to crash my date. I looked up the restaurant steps and expected to see him standing there.
"Tasha, over here," Seth called.
I couldn't believe my heart dropped when I saw Seth. He was standing by the open door with a wide smile and was getting plenty of appreciative glances from the people heading inside. In a sports coat and tight tee-shirt, Seth looked good enough to eat. But he wasn't Rainer.
I glanced around once more and wondered if I should check my message. I forced the thought out of my head and ran up the steps to meet Seth.
He pecked me on the cheek. "You look wonderful. How was work?"
I flinched away from the question. "I'd rather hear about all the beautiful things you did with your day," I said.
Seth put a light hand on the small of my back and steered me into the restaurant. I caught a few jealous glances and couldn't help but feel bad. He was the picture of the perfect date, but I had my mind on other things.
"Ms. Nichols? Tasha?" a hearty voice called me from the bar. I turned and teetered on my high heels. Mr. Reynolds, the head of Parks and Recreation, waved us over. "Having a business dinner?" he asked with a broad smile.
"Mr. Reynolds, this is Seth. Seth, Mr. Reynolds," I said with a dry mouth.
"Please, call me Alan. Where's Rainer?" Alan asked.
Seth chuckled. "That'd be a little awkward. We're on a date."
Alan's smile froze. He gave me another look. "Oh, sorry. I just assumed that you and Rainer, ah . . . I just figured that was the only reason a man like Rainer was digging in the dirt day after day."
"Reasonable assumption," Seth said. "After all, the reason I took the volunteer gig was to get a date with Tasha."
I was glad when the hostess approached and gestured us towards our table. "Nice to see you, Mr. Reynolds."
When we got to our table, Seth's glances kept sliding back to the bar.
"I'm sorry that was so awkward," I said. "I haven't told Mr. Reynolds about the funding getting cut. I'm not sure he's ready for the community garden to be on its own."
Seth seemed to accept my reasonable excuse for the tension. "He knows it's going to happen sooner or later. Mr. Reynolds seems like an observant man."
"Speaking of observant men, maybe you know what kind of flowers these are?" I motioned to the beautiful centerpiece at our table.
It was a desperate bid to distract us, but it didn't work. Seth reached across the table, took both my hands, and then studied my face carefully. "You're right, Tasha, I'm observant too. Are you really sure I'm the one you want to be on a date with tonight?"
I resisted the urge to yank my hands back. "I wouldn't have said yes otherwise."
Seth smiled and squeezed my hands. Then he let them go and leaned back in his seat. "Then I just have to get this out: I think Rainer is in love with you."
I choked on the sparkling water our waiter had just poured. The waiter panicked, but I waved him away, and he fled gladly. "Why would you say that?" I asked Seth.
"Come on, Tasha, everyone could see it at the community garden. The way he looks at you. And he makes you smile," Seth said.
"You make me smile," I said.
Seth looked at my straight face and shook his head with a rueful sigh. "I don't mind talking gardens and landscaping. I don't even mind enjoying a delicious dinner with you. I just think we should be honest right now. This isn't a date. It can't be."
"Why not?" I asked. There was a catch in my voice and I worried it had everything to do with Rainer and very little with Seth's clear-headed decision.
"I'm sorry, Tasha, I'm just not willing to get in the middle of something. Even if you haven't admitted it, there's something going on. That doesn't mean we can't still enjoy dinner." Seth motioned for the waiter to return.
It was my turn to sigh. "You're right, and I can respect that. But I'm paying."
Seth laughed. "Fair enough, friend."
Chapter Fourteen
Rainer
The yacht was lit up so brightly it looked more like a spaceship ready to bolt off into the dark sky. I understood the mystery that drove people to buy mega-yachts. Berger stood at the prow as if he'd conquered the sea himself. I knew full well he had no idea how to start the yacht's powerful engine, much less move it safely from the dock.
His full crew greeted me as I walked across the gangplank. The entire skyline of San Francisco glittered above the dark water of the bay, and even I had to admit it was a dramatic backdrop for a par
ty.
"Just wait until we sail under the Golden Gate Bridge," Berger said. He slapped me hard on the back. "Until then I've got, how many? Four chefs: sushi, fusion, steakhouse, and the best dessert chef in town."
A fleet of servers wove through the glamorous crowd, but I waved away the champagne. I could already tell that I was going to need something stronger. The yacht had every comfort, it was floating luxury, but the thought of being out on the water with no way to escape was already making me twitchy.
"Please tell me it's only a three-hour tour," I said.
Berger laughed and raised his hand to slap me on the back again. I dodged past a fashionable couple, knowing full-well I was going to end up in the background of their endless photographs. Then the cameras turned on me.
I didn't even have to turn around to know whose arm now linked mine. "Hello, Ellison. Nice to see you again."
Ellison laughed and gave me a playful slap. "As if we didn't talk earlier today, darling. You're right, a yacht like this might be a great venue for your groom's dinner."
I pulled her out of the stream of promenading party guests and gripped the railing to stop myself from strangling her. "Why do you insist on doing that?"
"Doing what, Rainer?" Ellison asked, her elegant head held high.
"Acting as if I've already proposed to you. We are not engaged, we are not planning our wedding, and I didn't talk to you earlier about possible venues for whatever the hell a groom's dinner is!"
Ellison aimed a serene smile up at me all during the rant. "Everyone knows it's inevitable. We are such a perfect match. Honestly, Rainer, you should be happy."
Before I could grasp her slender shoulders with both hands and shake some sense into her, a helicopter whipped across the bay and hovered about the yacht.
"That'd be tonight's performer," Berger called over the noise.
"No, you didn't!" Ellison gave my arm an excited squeeze and then forgot about me altogether. "He's a darling, and I haven't seen him since Paris."
Ellison's darling friend turned out to be one of the biggest acts on the world scene. It was surreal seeing him step off the helicopter and join Berger's yacht party. I thought I might be going crazy.
"Let me introduce my fiancé," Ellison said, bringing the big star over to me.
"She's jumped the gun a bit there," I said. "We're not engaged yet."
"Then I still have a chance." He wrapped an arm around Ellison's waist, and half the yacht let out jealous squeals of delight. "Mind if I steal her away?"
"Not at all," I said.
Ellison ignored me completely and jumped right into the excitement of the party. I clung to the railing and wondered if it was too late to grab a dinghy back to shore.
"I know people say that money goes to your head, but you are a whole new case of crazy," Berger said. He joined me at the railing, looking out over his spectacular party like a sultan. "No one understands how you could possibly turn down Ellison Ramsey."
"That doesn't mean it's okay for her to make up our engagement. That's the crazy part," I said.
Berger snorted. "And there's where you are wrong. Any other man, or woman for the matter, would be overjoyed that Ellison had decided on them. Do you even realize what her attention has done for your reputation?"
I didn't want to admit that it was true. Ellison's false rumors about our impending wedding had actually started to change my reputation from hopeless bachelor to decent prospect. I was getting way too many interested glances from the high society ladies now. As a wealthy widow in a bright red dress gave me a glance, I realized that I could easily burn off the changes. All it would take was one indiscretion.
"Seems like even your father is starting to notice," Berger continued the conversation.
"My father can think whatever he damn well wants. As long as it annoys my brother," I said. Now that I had stocked up enough money to appease the Maxwell ambition, my father had become downright friendly.
Berger stood up and cleared his throat. "I really don't get you, Rainer. You made your billions; you could have all this and more. You could marry Ellison and be at the top. What's stopping you?"
The buzzing of a small boat was a convenient distraction. I glanced down to the water and saw that it was Tasha arriving. Alone. Had something happened with her blond landscaper? The hope I felt was ridiculous, and I did the best I could to wipe it off my face before I turned back to Berger.
"Like you said, I've already got a lot. So, I don't see the harm in waiting for something I really want," I said.
Ellison joined us at that moment. "I bet I know what you really want," she said. "If you've been waiting to make a big announcement, the stage is all set."
I glanced over to the stage and saw the world-class performer wink at Ellison. "Not my kind of music," I said.
An actual frown broke through Ellison's self-assured expression. She turned away and caught sight of Tasha boarding the yacht. "You and your one-hit wonders," Ellison said.
"Sure you want to tie the knot with that?" Berger asked.
Ellison fluffed her hair and gave Tasha an evil appraisal. "I'm not worried."
I was desperate to escape, and the shore was getting farther and farther away. The next waiter who walked by was shocked when I stopped him. "Is that fresh thyme on top of the stuffed mushrooms?"
"Yes, sir. The chef grows it himself." The waiter nodded to a nearby man in a white coat.
I moved over to his table and complimented him on the taste. The chef looked at Ellison and hesitated to talk, but I got him into a whole conversation about growing his own herbs.
"The flavors are much richer," the chef said.
Ellison sighed and walked away. Moments later, Berger followed her.
"Thanks," I told the chef.
"You know we're on a boat, right? You can't escape," the chef said.
I assessed the glimmer in his eyes while his face was otherwise straight. "You know, I'm rich too."
"How's that going?"
I laughed and shook the chef's hand. "I'm starting to think I'd trade my fortune for a practical skill. At the end of the day, you've actually created things, and that has to feel good."
The chef graciously served two more guests and came back to join me. "It does feel good. It's never too late to learn. You interested in cooking?"
"Me?" I asked. "No. But recently I started to get into gardening."
The chef barely contained a snort. "You know how many of my clients demand fresh herbs and vegetables but won't even think of putting a few potted plants on a windowsill? No offense, but sometimes I wonder what you people do all day."
"None taken," I said.
It was an honest opinion, and as I looked around the yacht, I started to agree with the chef. Everyone was dressed in designer clothes with jewelry made to impress. Instead of noticing the delicious food, hand-crafted right in front of them, or the beautiful scenery of the San Francisco Bay, the ultra-rich were standing around only noticing those who noticed them.
Across the deck, Ellison gave me a come-hither glance. I held up another stuffed mushroom, and her perfect lips pursed tight. She turned back to a small knot of fawning admirers and ignored me.
"Well, I might be the only one, but I'm really enjoying your efforts. Thank you," I told the chef.
I scanned the room again and felt my heart sink. I was stuck on a yacht in a sea of my peers and couldn't see a single person I wanted to talk to. Except Tasha.
She was encouraging the first mate to tell her more about the unique features of Alcatraz Island. He was more than happy to oblige and leaned close as he pointed out landmarks. I handed my small plate to a passing waiter and set out across the crowded room.
"Hello, Rainer." The woman's voice was cool.
"Patricia, how are you?" I swallowed my irritation and focused on the redheaded woman. We'd had a passionate night after a product launch party, and I could tell she was surprised I knew her name. "How's your sick dog? The last time we were, ah, to
gether, you had to rush home to give it antibiotics, right?"
Patricia blinked a few times. "That's right. Bingo's fine, thanks for asking."
I stood looking down at her as she hadn't moved, but she had nothing else to say. "I hope you enjoy the party," I said, stepping around her.
"It's not going to work, you know," Patricia said over her shoulder. She turned and nodded towards Tasha. "She's too good for you. Besides, she's been warned what you're really like."
"We had one night together. You don't know me," I said. I stalked away from her, my fingers curling into fists.
So, more people than I thought had noticed my interest in Tasha. No wonder I could feel eyes on me as I slowly wove my way through the party towards her. It took a lot of maneuvering, but I finally cornered Tasha near the small bar at the back.
Tasha eyed the narrow hallway next to her but decided to stand her ground. "I'm hearing rumors you might have a special announcement tonight," she said.
"What the hell," I muttered, missing at first the teasing light in Tasha's eyes. "Oh, right. Make fun of me. Like you won't have hundreds of men lining up to propose to you now that you've made billions."
"I've had three proposals so far tonight," Tasha said.
"Let me guess, the first mate? Watch out; you know the captain can marry people," I said.
"Oh, so is that what you have planned for Ellison?" Tasha asked.
I grabbed her arm and pulled her down the narrow hallway. She darted inside the first open door, hoping to dodge around me, but I blocked her way and shut the door behind us.
"I am not marrying Ellison Ramsey tonight, and I do not ever intend to marry her."
Tasha's irritated expression softened. "Okay. I was just teasing you, Rainer."
"Not a lot of people do that," I said.
She inched closer. "Why am I so different?"
I ran a hand through my hair. "If I could answer that I might feel sane again."
"You need your space," Tasha said, reaching around me for the door handle.
"I need you," I said. The scent of her hair knocked me back against the cabin door.
Tasha was only inches away, and she didn't pull back or roll her eyes. Instead, she studied my face, staring deep into my eyes before her gaze dropped to my lips.